20 HEALTHY CLASSROOM PARTY SNACKS

SCHOOLS

20 HEALTHY CLASSROOM PARTY SNACKS

Support and Promote the Michigan Nutrition Standards

Have you been asked to send in a healthy snack for your child's classroom? Don't worry. A healthy snack does not have to be an enormous fresh fruit tray that costs $25 or more to put together. There are plenty of healthy snacks you can send in to the classroom that are quick-to-fix, healthy and budget-friendly. Below are 20 ideas for healthy snacks that will provide a snack for 25 students.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Keep snack portions small. Snacks should be healthy and

curb kids' hunger but should not be a meal. Keep in mind that a kindergartner will eat a smaller portion than an older child. A healthy snack may include one or two foods from the following food groups: meat or protein foods,

fruits, vegetables, grains (preferably whole grains), and milk or low-fat dairy foods.

NOTE: If you are providing a snack for the classroom or for a classroom party be sure to find

out if other parents or adults

are supplying additional healthy

1. Tropical Fruit Yogurt Parfaits. Yogurt costs a lot less when you buy it in large containers. You will

4. Chips and Salsa.

snack foods as well. That way kids won't have too much or waste food. In addition always

need two 32-ounce containers of vanilla or flavored

Most kids

ask the teacher if any of the

low-fat yogurt, two cans of pineapple chunks,

can't resist

students have food allergies.

packed in their own juice (drained), and one box

dipping. Buy

of whole grain cereal. Let kids make their own by

two bags of

layering all the ingredients in small cups.

baked tortilla chips and a few different kinds of salsa

such as mild, pineapple salsa, black bean salsa, etc.

2. Apple Cider and Graham Crackers. A sweet fall

Let kids taste and rate the different salsas.

favorite. Purchase two gallons fresh pasteurized

apple cider and one box of cinnamon or plain graham 5. Cookies and Milk. Two packages Whole Grain Fig

crackers (whole grain is best). Serve each child one

Newton cookies and one gallon fat-free milk.

whole cracker and a 6-ounce glass of cider.

6. Eggs and Cukes. A high-protein snack that will fuel

3. Pita Wedges and Marinara Sauce. Kids love anything

kids for school or play. One hard-cooked egg per

that tastes like pizza. Purchase two bags of whole

child and a handful of sliced cucumber rounds. Peel

wheat pita bread and cut the pitas into small

eggs before sending them to school and be sure to

triangles (about six triangles per pita, depending

keep them cold.

on the size). Give each child a few wedges of pita

and serve with a tablespoon or two of low-sodium

marinara sauce.

SCHOOLS 20 Healthy Classroom Party Snacks Team up to make healthy the easy choice!

02.2012 Michigan Nutrition Standards

SCHOOLS

7. Mini Veggie Crisps. Crunchy whole grain goodness. Spread vegetable cream cheese on two mini whole grain rice cakes. Sprinkle with finely diced green pepper or cucumber. Each child gets two veggie crisp sandwiches.

8. Blueberry Pudding Cups. Creamy pudding and cold fruit--yum! Each child gets one individual low-fat vanilla pudding cup and a few tablespoons of blueberries to stir into the pudding after the first few bites.

9. Pretzels and Hummus. Simple and quick. Two bags of whole grain pretzel twists and one large tub of hummus (any flavor).

10. Strawberry Pancake Sandwiches. A freeze-ahead, surprising twist on a breakfast favorite. Spread a thin layer of low-fat strawberry cream cheese onto a defrosted whole grain pancake. Top with fresh strawberry slices, then another pancake. Cut into three wedges and freeze. Each child gets one wedge.

11. Squeezable yogurt, yogurt to go, or yogurt tubes. Just one flavor or mix and match. Freeze first.

12. Popcorn Four Ways. Pop light popcorn in the microwave. Top with one of the following: a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, some nutritional yeast, cinnamon and sugar, or a little taco seasoning. Serve with a small cup of 100% juice.

13. Basic Cheese and Crackers. Cheese and crackers never get old. Each child gets one low-fat mozzarella cheese stick and four whole grain crackers.

15. C ereal and milk. Packed with vitamins and minerals cereal is not just for breakfast. Buy two boxes of whole grain cereal and a gallon of 1% or fat free milk. Let kids mix and match their favorites.

16. T ake-a-long Snack Mix. Mix and match your favorites and buy ingredients on sale. One large bag of microwave popcorn, one box or bag of whole grain cereal, one bag mini pretzel twists, and one large box of raisins. Put all in a large bowl and mix well. Scoop out onto napkins or plates or into small plastic bags.

17. C lementines and Chocolate Milk. Packed with vitamin C, clementines are sweet and super easy to peel. Each child gets one clementine and one 4-oz. glass of chocolate milk.

18. C heese, Tomato and Olive Kabobs. Kids love food on a stick. Gather 1 ? pounds low-fat mozzarella cheese cut into small cubes, two pints cherry tomatoes, one can black olives (drained) and small toothpicks. Skewer everything on toothpicks and serve.

19. C arrots and dips. Most children like carrots because they're sweet. Buy an extra large bag of mini carrots, a jar of salsa, and a container of hummus or peanut butter for dipping.

20. W hole bananas. Bananas are the perfect portable fruit. If you need to send them in a day or two ahead, buy those that are slightly green to give them time to ripen. Each child gets one small or ? large banana.

14. Kiwi Fruit. Lots of children have never seen or eaten kiwi before. Each child gets one plastic spoon and one kiwi fruit cut in half horizontally. Kids can use the spoons to scoop out the fruit.

SCHOOLS 20 Healthy Classroom Party Snacks Team up to make healthy the easy choice!

02.2012 Michigan Nutrition Standards

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